OVERCOMING A CRITICAL SPIRIT
WHAT EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD KNOW
Rom. 14:10-13
Critical Spirit: an attitude of criticism and fault-finding,
which seeks to tear others down
I. What Causes a Critical Spirit?
1. Having a bad attitude and a negative view of life.
You may be saying, “What terrible people you have been talking about!” But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things. Rom. 2:1 (NLT)
2. Having unforgiveness or bitterness in your heart.
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; Heb. 12:15 (NKJV)
3. Thinking that you are better than others.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Rom. 12:3 (NKJV)
4. Being an immature believer.
for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord. 1 Cor. 3:3 (NLT)
5. Having an unrenewed mind.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom. 12:2 (NKJV)
6. Being an instrument of Satan
And “don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. Eph. 4:26-27 (NLT)
II. How to overcome a critical spirit?
1. Evaluate your own life.
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Matt. 7:3-4 (NLT)
2. Stop being judgmental.
“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. Matt. 7:1:2 (NLT)
3. Realize the reason we come together.
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb. 10:25 (NKJV)
4. Stop cursing the darkness and be light.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:16 (NKJV)
5. Use your tongue properly.
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Eph. 4:29 (NKJV)
6. Remember the Bible doesn’t promise peace to those
who dwell on the faults of others.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isa. 26:3 (NKJV)
BE PATIENT WITH THE FAULTS OF OTHERS;
THEY HAVE TO BE PATIENT WITH YOURS.
